wildlife

Senior Counsel

Jeff serves as Senior Counsel to PEER, where he specializes in civil service, scientific integrity, and whistleblower protection issues. Jeff was PEER’s Executive Director from 1997 to 2019 and its Pacific Director from 2019 to 2025. Previously, he was the Policy Director and a staff attorney at the Government Accountability Project, representing whistleblowers from both the public and private sectors. Before coming to DC, Jeff worked in California state government for 17 years, mostly in the State Legislature as counsel to various committees where he drafted hundreds of laws on topics ranging from energy conservation to the rights of employed inventors. Jeff served stints as a deputy district attorney and an appellate court clerk. He is a graduate of the California Correctional Officers Academy.

Eroding Sanctuary for Wildlife in National Parks

by Jeff Ruch | May 8, 2026
During Trump’s first term, the National Park Service was an area of malign neglect, without a confirmed director for all four years. For most of Trump 1.0, the national parks were ignored, but no longer ...

LETTER | Tell Congress to Stop Attacks on Protections for America’s Wildlife

by PEER | April 8, 2026
Letter telling Congress to speak out against attacks on endangered species and to speak up in support legislation that advances wildlife protections ...

Letter re: Extinction Committee’s Closed-Door Decisions to Doom Endangered Marine Life

by PEER | March 17, 2026
Letter to Interior Secretary Burgum opposing the Extinction Committee’s closed-door decisions to doom endangered marine life ...

Letter re: Pesticide Provisions in Farm Bill

by PEER | March 2, 2026
Letter to Senate and House Agriculture Committees from 85 conservation groups opposing pesticide provisions in Farm Bill ...

Letter re: Upper Price River Watershed Act of 2025

by PEER | February 13, 2026
Letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee opposing S.3004, the Upper Price River Watershed Act of 2025 ...